NEW DELHI: Malayalam movie Jallikattu directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery has been selected as India’s official entry for the international feature film category at the 93rd Academy Awards, better known as Oscars.

Jallikattu was chosen out of 27 films across Hindi, Odiya, Marathi and other languages. The story is about a bull that escapes from a slaughterhouse in a hilly remote village and all the men of the village gathering to hunt down the animal. Some of the other movies in the race to be India’s entry for Oscars 2021 were The Disciple, Shakuntala Devi, Shikara, Gunjan Saxena, Chhapaak, AK vs AK, Gulabo Sitabo, Bhonsle, Chhalaang, Eeb Allay Ooo!, Check Post, Atkan Chatkan, Serious Men, Bulbbul, Kaamyaab, The Sky is Pink, Chintu ka Birthday and Bittersweet.

Film Federation of India chairman jury board and filmmaker Rahul Rawail heaped praise on the film’s theme, production quality and Lijo Jose Pellissery’s direction. He said, “It is a film which really brings out the raw side of human beings, that we are worse than animals. The film has been shot very well. The emotions which come out moved all of us. It’s a production that all of us should be proud of. Pellissery is an extremely competent director. That’s why we zeroed in on Jallikattu.”

Malayalam film 'Jallikattu' India's official entry at Oscars in International Feature Film category: Film Federation of India

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 25, 2020

Jallikattu had its premiere on 6 September 2019 at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim.

Pellissery also won the best director trophy at the 50th International Film Festival of India last year.